MAP READING
WHAT IS A MAP?
1. Once you have selected your map - HOW do you use it?
It is necessary that the cadets know the following points in connection with the subject.
Planning is a very important part of any activity and time should be spent on getting to know the
area you intend to go. The sort of things to look out for are those features which stand out on the
map and would be easily recognisable on the ground. This is particularly useful if you or your party run into problems - remember your reaction will be quicker if you familiar with the map.
Once you are happy with your map and feel confident to use it you need to go out and gain some experience of comparing the map to the ground area. This may be achieved in towns, cities or local country side. Any map may be used even a street map as long as it gives the cadets practice in moving from one point to another.
2. If you look at any atlas of the world, you will get a good idea of how continental landmasses
lie compared to oceans. When the surface of the earth is shown on a flat piece of paper some
distortion takes place. You can spot errors of distortion if you look closely. For example Greenland is shown to be larger than India but in fact India is approximately four times the size of Greenland.
This happens because the surface of the earth is stretched at the poles and squeezed at the
equator to make it lie flat.
Maps tend to be accurate in shape and position (bearing) - they are inaccurate as far as distance
and area are concerned.
To allow more detail to be shown the world map can be broken down into many single sheet maps. You might think of it as using a microscope with the world under the lens. The more you zoom in the clearer the picture becomes and the more accurate the image you get.
3. To make map reading more enjoyable and to make cadets think, you may like to try some
of the following ideas.
a. Blindfold a cadet and then pace out a set distance in a straight line. Make a note of how
much drift there is and in what direction it was.
b. Have one cadet blindfolded and have another direct the first through a small obstacle
course (using paces and direction only).
c. Have the cadets draw a map of the town/village or city centre (from memory) then compare
the results to an actual map.
d. Try comparing old maps to new ones to see what changes have taken place in your
area.
e. Mark out a route on an aerial photograph and have the cadets follow it.
f. Use different types of ground to find out different pace numbers and times i.e. 100m on -
paths, road, tracks, bracken, heather, sand, uphill and downhill.
4. Map reading can be fun but it also has a serious side. If you decide to go out for a walk
locally it is possible to get lost. A map can be a good friend to you when you are out walking – don’t leave home without one!
There are many types of maps in general use. Different types of map depict different types
of information. Although maps tend to suit a specific user, different types of map can sometimes be used by different groups. For map reading in the Corps the important factor is scale. The many types of map available on the market reflect the wide range of activities for which maps are needed.
Motoring atlas of the UK 1 inch to 3 mile scale
Cycle tours 1:50,000 or 1.25 inches to 1 mile
Explorer maps 4 cm to 1 Km or 2.5 inches to 1 mile
Pathfinders maps 4 cm to 1 Km or 2.5 inches to 1 mile
Coast to Coast maps
Travelmaster map 1 inch to 4 miles
Waterway guides
Outdoor Leisure maps 4 cm to 1 Km or 2.5 inches to 1 mile
National Trail guide 1:25,000
Historical maps and guides 1 cm to 25 cm or 25 inches to 1 mile
World Atlas
Local authority maps
Air maps
Agricultural maps
Marine maps
Political maps
There are now available CD-ROMS that contain information that you can interrogate, zoom
in or ‘walk’ through in detail.
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